While presenting the budget in the Vidhan Sabha today, Dhumal said, “In the illegal permit case, we would affix responsibility for payment of fine on the person responsible for the act.”

As former IPH minister Kaul Singh commented, “This will be paid by the government,” Dhumal said, “No, the decision for giving permit was taken while sitting at home and the person concerned will bear the responsibility of the fine.”

The Chief Minister declared in the House that action would also be taken against those who flouted the model code of conduct by notifying a medical college in Mandi, which, after directions of the Election Commission, had to be withdrawn by the Congress government.

Later, talking to newsmen, Dhumal said, “I have received the report of the EC, which has recommended action against some people in the case,” but refused to divulge any future action.

In the House, Dhumal specifically pointed out the difference between the claimed industrial investments of Rs 30,000 crore by the previous government, of which only 11 per cent, which is Rs 3,374 crore, materialised.

While talking to the press, CLP leader Vidya Stokes countered it and said “Projects worth Rs 27,000 crore were cleared through the single-window clearance, of which projects worth Rs 5,600 crore were established.”

Making a special mention of the IIT and Chandigarh-Baddi rail link, Dhumal said the state will pursue both the matters with the Centre. Interacting with the media, he said, “The state has got fresh hope of getting the IIT that was announced by the Finance Minister last October in Shimla. During my recent interaction with the Ministry of Human Resource Development, I have known that the file for the IIT has moved forward in the ministry.”